News Releases

Coast Guard Assists Boater Without Navigation Equipment

2010-09-06T19:14:34Z

SAN PEDRO, Calif. – The Coast Guard responded to a Mayday call from a recreational boat that was disabled and disoriented due to fog and was not equipped with proper navigational equipment, about 8 p.m. in the waters near Ventura, Calif.

Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles – Long Beach received the initial call and Sector San Diego used the newly acquired Rescue 21 system to locate an approximant position. A search area was created using the Rescue 21 radio system, approximately 18 miles north of San Nicholas Islands, Calif.

A Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles MH-65C Dolphin helicopter, a C-130 airplane from Air Station Sacramento, the cutter Narwhal, and a Station Channel Islands Harbor 47-foot Motor Lifeboat were launched to search for the vessel Starfire.

Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach established communication with the Starfire and located it with the help of a Good Samaritan in the area.

The cutter Narwhal arrived on-scene and will tow the Starfire to Channel Island Harbor, Calif.

The Starfire was operating without a working compass, navigational lights, and a Global Positioning System.

Boaters are also reminded to ensure they keep all navigation and safety equipment, such as an operable GPS with them and in proper working condition. A few moments spent at the dock preparing for a possible emergency can help lessen the chance of an actual incident while on the water.

Boaters must ensure they have properly fitting Coast Guard-approved lifejackets onboard and highly recommends all boaters carry a 406 MHz Electronic Position Indicating Radio Beacon. EPIRBs are designed to float free of a sinking vessel, automatically transmitting a digital distress message to satellites.

For more information about the Rescue 21 system, visit http://www.uscg.mil/acquisition/rescue21/project.asp

Coast Guard Medevacs Diver Near Anacapa Island

2010-08-28T20:01:01Z

SAN PEDRO, Calif. - The Coast Guard medevaced a 55-year-old male diver after he began slipping in and out of consciousness near Anacapa Island, Calif., early Saturday afternoon.

The Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach Command Center received the call for help from the dive vessel Explorer, and launched a MH-65C Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Los Angeles and a 47-foot motor lifeboat from Station Channel Islands Harbor, Calif. Before heading to the scene, the motor lifeboat embarked three paramedics from the Ventura County Fire Department.

Once alongside the Explorer, the Ventura paramedics assessed the man and determined he did not require a hyperbaric chamber. The diver was taken back to the Coast Guard station where emergency medical personnel were standing by to transport him to St. John Hospital in Ventura, Calif.

For media inquiries, please contact Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Eggers at (310) 781-0619.

Coast Guardsman Receives Award for Excellence

2010-08-27T17:45:12Z

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands - Lt. Cmdr. Radiah Jones, international port security liaison officer for Coast Guard Activities Europe in Rotterdam, was presented the Congressman James Sener Award for Excellence in Marine Investigations on Aug. 24.

Jones, a native of California, received the award for her involvement in the investigation of an incident involving the sailing vessel Nahoku II.

The investigation of the Nahoku II, which took place in Sector Honolulu, became one of the top 4,392 Coast Guard investigations conducted in 2009. Jones’ investigation resulted in the improvement of commercial sailing vessel safety and the establishment of a course curriculum for basic marine inspections in the Coast Guard. It also led to the creation of a national safety alert on sailboat rigging dangers to be utilized by Coast Guard marine inspectors nationwide.

The Congressman James Sener Award was created to recognize exceptional marine investigations. In 1874, Congressman James Sener of Virginia sponsored the legislation that created the modern marine investigation program. The program has become the world’s most effective system for identifying and eliminating unsafe conditions in marine transportation system.

Jones graduated the Coast Guard’s Officer Candidate School December 1997.

Jones is the daughter of Earl and Wannee Jones of Riverside, Calif.

Coast Guard Aircrew Forced to Land After Laser Illumination

2010-08-27T16:42:22Z

SAN PEDRO, Calif. - For the second time in less than a week, a Coast Guard MH-65C Dolphin helicopter was forced to make an precautionary landing at their hangar after someone illuminated the crew with a laser.

While conducting flight operations over Cabrillo Beach at about 9 p.m. Thursday, the aircrew was flashed with a laser that affected their vision. Coast Guard flight rules dictate that if any aircrew member’s vision is compromised, the aircraft must land immediately at the closest airport.

Additionally, aircrew members are taken off flight duty for a minimum of 24 hours and must have their eyes dilated and to be cleared by a doctor before flying again. This temporary loss of flight crews has the potential to significantly affect the unit’s abilities to conduct search, rescue, and homeland security missions.

People convicted of willfully and maliciously discharging a laser at any aircraft can be punished under California Penal Code with a misdemeanor and prison time up to one year with a $1000 fine, or a felony and prison time up to 16 months and a $2000 fine. In addition, federal charges can be brought against the convicted person and can carry a sentence up to 20 years in prison and fines.

Members of the public who witness someone committing this crime are strongly encouraged to immediately call 911 to report the incident.

Update 2: Coast Guard suspends search for male near Catalina Island

2010-08-09T17:28:37Z

CATALINA ISLAND, Calif. - The Coast Guard suspended the search for a 45-year-old male that had gone missing near Catalina Island, Sunday, at approximately 10:45 a.m.

The Coast Guard Cutter Edisto crew and the Coast Guard Cutter Blacktip crew searched through Sunday night for Frank Cipriano. A Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles MH-65C Dolphin crew searched at sunrise Monday with no results.

An area of approximately 370 square miles was exhaustively searched for Cipriano.

The Coast Guard launched multiple search assets and conducted multiple searches on scene. The Coast Guard Cutter Halibut, Baywatch Isthmus, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department were involved in the search and completed multiple sorties.

If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Cipriano, he or she is urged to contact 911 or the nearest Coast Guard station immediately. Mariners are asked to keep a sharp lookout for anyone in distress. The search and rescue will remain suspended unless new information emerges.

For further information or media inquiries contact Petty Officer Matthew Schofield, a spokesman for the Public Affairs Detachment Los Angeles - Long Beach office at (310) 781-0288.

Update 1: Coast Guard searches for male near Catalina Island

2010-08-09T02:45:34Z

CATALINA ISLAND, Calif. - The Coast Guard will continue the search through the night for a 45-year-old male that has gone missing near Catalina Island, Sunday, at approximately 10:45 a.m.

The Coast Guard Cutter Edisto crew and the Coast Guard Cutter Blacktip crew will continue searching for Frank Cipriano throughout the night. A Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles MH-65C Dolphin crew will search at sunrise on Monday. It was reported that he took a trip on the vessel Indecent Proposal's dinghy and had not returned.

Cipriano is reported to be 5' 9" tall, approximately 160 pounds, wearing a polo T-shirt and black board-shorts.

The Indecent Proposal is anchored in Cherry Cove, and the dinghy was found one mile off Eagle Reef.

For further information or media inquiries contact Petty Officer Matthew Schofield, a spokesman for the Public Affairs Detachment Los Angeles - Long Beach office at (310) 781-0288.

Coast Guard searches for male near Catalina Island

2010-08-08T19:36:30Z

CATALINA ISLAND, Calif. - The Coast Guard is searching for a male in his thirties near Catalina Island, Sunday, who went missing at approximately 10:45 a.m.

A Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles MH-65C Dolphin helicopter crew, the Coast Guard Cutter Edisto crew, the Coast Guard Cutter Halibut crew and Baywatch Isthmus are searching for Frank Cipriano, who was aboard the vessel Indecent Proposal.

He is reported to be approximately 160 pounds, wearing a polo T-shirt and black board-shorts.

The Indecent Proposal is anchored in Cherry Cove, approximately one mile off Eagle Reef, Catalina Island.

If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Cipriano, they are urged to contact 911 or the nearest Coast Guard station immediately, and mariners are asked to keep a sharp lookout for anyone in distress.

For further information or media inquiries contact Petty Officer Matthew Schofield, a spokesman for the Public Affairs Detachment Los Angeles - Long Beach office at (310) 781-0288.

Coast Guard responds to oil sheen near Channel Islands Harbor

2010-08-08T18:15:03Z

CHANNEL ISLANDS HARBOR, Calif. - The Coast Guard responded to a report of an oil sheen near the Channel Islands Harbor, Sunday, at approximately 10 a.m.

Marine Safety Detachment Santa Barbara personnel and Coast Guard Station Channel Islands personnel responded to the 300 by 200 yard diesel oil sheen in the harbor.

Responders to the scene have reported that the source of the leak has been secured, and that they have deployed boom and they are using sorbent pads to pick up small amounts of diesel oil.

The Coast Guard is working with the Channel Islands Harbor municipalities to ensure that the response is done in a timely manner and to minimize potential environmental impact.

For further information or media inquiries contact Petty Officer Matthew Schofield, a spokesman for the Public Affairs Detachment Los Angeles - Long Beach office at (310) 781-0288.

Coast Guard coordinates rescue from boat fire

2010-08-07T21:46:14Z

SAN PEDRO, Calif.- The Coast Guard is coordinating the rescue of four mariners in distress following a boat fire at 2:15 p.m., Saturday, approximately four miles off the coast of Pt. Vincente.

A 25-foot Response Boat from Coast Guard Station Los Angeles - Long Beach is on scene. Baywatch Cabrillo, Baywatch Redondo, and Baywatch Isthmus are on scene to assist with the evacuation of the mariners and to combat the fire. A Good Samaritan in the vicinity of the fire provided initial assistance to the mariners.

The mariners are reported to be in good condition with no major injuries.

The Coast Guard wishes to remind the public that wearing a life jacket and having the proper life saving equipment is paramount to saving lives and to always file a float plan with a trusted source.

Coast Guard assists with medevac from Catalina Island

2010-07-29T18:45:29Z

CATALINA ISLAND, Calif. - The U.S. Coast Guard conducted a medevac of a 63-year-old male who experienced chest pains on Catalina Island’s Pebbly Beach at the YMCA Camp Catalina, Thursday, at approximately 5 a.m.

A Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles MH-65C Dolphin helicopter crew with a paramedic from the Los Angeles County Fire Department transferred the patient to Torrance Memorial Hospital.

For media inquiries or additional information contact Public Affairs Detachment Los Angeles – Long Beach, Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Schofield at (310) 521-4260.